Catalyst-free synthesis of ZnO-CuO-ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites by a rapid one-step thermal decomposition approach

Abstract

We report on a synthesis approach of a novel ZnO-CuO-ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite by a rapid one-step thermal decomposition method using mix precursor materials of zinc, copper, and iron. The as-prepared nanocomposites were systematically characterized to reveal their structural, morphological, thermal and optical properties. Grain shapes are found to be dependent on the synthesis parameters and the nanocomposite able be tuned through the synthesis temperature. The X-ray diffraction results of the nanocomposites indicate that the as-synthesized ZnO-CuO-ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites are crystalline in nature. The elemental composition of the nanocomposite is investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy which shows different phases. The UV–Vis spectroscopy shows the multiple band gap energies of the ZnO-CuO-ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites in the range of 2.2–3.6 eV. This facile and environmentally friendly non-vacuum synthesis approach could be used to prepare large amount of the ZnO-CuO-ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites and similar metal oxide nanocomposites with time- and cost-effective ways.